031 (2/2)

We four, Dale, Sharl, Kizu, and I were childhood friends that grew up in this village, and trained under a passing knight

He caht the children how to protect themselves

We were excited since he said that he was one of the ”Heavenly 15”

That group was famous, since it was one of the very top positions of the i royalty

They are said to have ile strike

Fro to the ith the ”Elven Continent” to push them back, and win for us

He was a kind old e, and even if he was old, he didn't feel senile

It was like he was a seasoned veteran going into ith a smile on his face

Anyway, under his tutelage, we becah to hunt beasts for our meals

So, ere hired by the village chief e grew up, to be hunters for the entire village

Since this village was far from the other cities, it was understandable that we had to hunt, since it was very rare to have travelling peddlers and merchants visit us and trade their wares

For years, we have been hunting with this formation

Dale, was a swordsman, he had the class [Warrior] in his status so it was indisputable

Sharl, was our healer, she went to the holy church once in ”Virgo City”, the city that worshi+ps Solaris-sama

Kizu was our scout, he used a bow and a short dagger, and had keen eyesight and senses, warning us froer

Withparty

Alone, ould have had a hard tiether we hunted [Demon Rabbit], [Demon Deer], and sometimes even [Demon Boar] on special occasion

Today, was an ie were infected with an illness all at the same time, so we needed more food than usual

While laughing, chatting, and planning our capture route ere walking to the forest, we arrived

So, we entered the forest, preparing ourselves, and searched for our prey

After a few hours, we caught a few [Demon Rabbits] and [Snow Sparrows]

But, this wasn't enough

The kids needed food to live, and I didn't want to be the cause of their depleting health

It just wouldn't sit right with o deeper in the forest to hunt bigger game

I told them that since it inter, most of the beasts would hide in the inner portion of the forest

They were reluctant, but even so, they agreed with ame we hunted

I knew the forest was filled with unknown dangers, but I had to take the risk, since it was for the children

With a renewed determination, ent deeper

Turns out, it wasn't that dangerous, considering our planning tactics, such as, attacking the little to no sound when sneaking around

Or shooting the

It was going sh, evident by the al rucksacks

We turned around, and went back to the village, following the trail

On our way out of the forest, ere talking about our various feats today, which beast we killed, hoe killed them

Things like that, it was a nice atmosphere, that just relaxed your mind after a hectic day

Thinking things like today was a great haul, and suggestions that we should go deeper from now on

Trivial topics were the best, at least for me

But, ere too naive, we let our guard down the e

We suddenly heard an angry growl that was so loud, it made me shi+ver unconsciously

When we turned around,the rustling of trees, and heard loud thuds in the forest

After a few seconds, two bright, golden eyes were visible in the darkness of the forest interior

Then what folloere two more pairs of eyes, but this time, they were red

They were staring right at us

It was strange since I wanted to run away fro back

I couldn't even ardless

I was stuck in place, like the prey in the face of its predator, ere sweating, and quaking in fear

What cas, aface that seeed

But the bigger one, even more so

I was suddenly reminded of the stories they used to tell you when you were a child in the village

That if ere bad, the snow deet you

I treated it like any other tale, so that wasn't real

But now I stand corrected, it wasn't a work of our iination, this was real

The danger I feel could only support that this wasn't a dream, but a terribly cold reality

It ht have made his home there, and we stole it's prey

I could only arrive at that reason when thinking about the situation

But I wasn't cal at our bad luck, at why this had to happen just because I wanted to save the children

”Kizu, take the girls and run! I'll buy tio!”

A loud voice interrupted hts

It came from Dale, our party leader, while he brandished his sword, pointing towards the beasts, showing his back to us

Right now, his back looked reliable, but I kneas afraid too, and I could never forgive myself if I left a friend to die

So, I gathered up ht with Dale

The others looked at ed into daring smiles

They said that they would join in too, since they couldn't force themselves to leave us behind

Maybe they were right, this is crazy, but this is what I've decided to do

”You guys”

”Don't be crying onme to a drink once this is over”

”A-ah, sure Let's beat these things and head on home”

The exchange between the two best friends, no two ht was heard

S fearlessly, we faced the deor

We started the attack

First, Dale would slash at the leader, to keep it at bay, and ould kill the other two first with traps and long-range tactics, it was harsh for Dale, but it was the only plan we could coiven the situation

So, Dale started sprinting towards the leader and held him back with his swordplay

Or at least, should have been

Smack

I was dumbfounded at the scene

When Dale charged towards the beast's abdomen

He was gone in the next moment

One flick of the wrist, and he was sent flying

The beast seehtly

Dale, after flying in the air for a few seconds, landed on the cold, snowy ground

He was coughing up blood, and I feared that he wouldn't last long, given the temperature of the air

When this registered inemotions come over me

Anger, anger at the fact that our plan was useless, and that Dale one in a few minutes

Fear, fear at the entity before us, which treated huth

And helplessness, despairing the fact that I, we, couldn't do anything about it hurts the most

After co theth

The beast seemed satisfied, and came closer to us

Kizu was shi+elding Sharl, and she was trying to heal Dale, as the beast slowly approached our personas

This was the end, I thought

The children wouldn't get their food, and the village will starve for the winter, were the thoughts that filled ht eyes of the beast

”I'm sorry”

I say out loud, to at least ask for forgiveness to e

But I kneas just self-satisfaction that I unconsciously said to make myself feel better

It didn't matter either way

So I closed my eyes and waited

Just when I was thinking that, and accepted runt from the creature

I openedatto the direction of the east

Even though this was a grave situation, curiosity still got the best of me, and I turned my head sideways, like the beast

I couldn't see anything in that direction, but after a few htly made out a dark silhouetted human-shaped shadow in the distance

The naled to the others to follow hiht

Since after the roar, he proceeded to run towards the mysterious silhouette, at a speed I couldn't believe

I was even more saddened by this since it proved that even if we ran, we still wouldn't escape

I was apologizing in ht up in ourto be hurt, or even worse, because I was overconfident that we could enter the inner part of the forest

I couldn't take it, and looked away frohter

As I was ridiculing myself and my hubris while sprawled on the cold, white snow

Bang Bang Bang

Suddenly, I heard a loud explosion from a distance

When I turned towards the noise, I was shocked

The towering beasts fro out a thick aed around with rope on their necks with one hand by the er

Before I knew it, the boy reached the place where ere, and noticed us

He looked strange, a youth with purple hair, and white bangs, pale skin, covered in dark clothing, wearing an eye-patch with one of his eyes colored red, showing a bored look on his face

But he didn't look strained even though he was dragging the three heavy bodies of those beasts, with one hand

I thought he was a deo of the scary thought

When he came close to me, I came back to my senses and started to stand up

It was a little hard, considering I just lost reet and thank the person

So, when I did, I held outtowards him

But his next words were unexpectedly different

With a slightly irritated tone, and eyes that stared right into mine, he said

”Oi, were you the ones who sent these small-fry to attack me?”